The Homeowner Navigation Program
Since 2013, the City of Minneapolis Homeowner Navigator Program (HNP) has assisted low-income seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners to remedy housing violations and safety issues. They do this by working with a network of community partners, including: CPED, A Brush With Kindness, Rebuilding Together, CLCLT, Hearts & Hammers, Tree Trust, CEE, and more.
Homeowner Navigation Grant Fund Pilot Program
After identifying some clients have needs that can’t be fully addressed by existing community resources, HNP navigators came up with the idea to launch a one-time grant that HNP clients could apply for to address emergency City violations that may cause the homeowner to lose their home or be fined. These grants would be only used when all other existing resources have been exhausted.
The Homeowner Navigation Grant Fund will be administered by partner organization Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. In addition to managing the grant fund, Habitat will help the homeowner complete the repair which is often the most difficult part of the job for the homeowner. The fund will provide grants up to $3,000 to seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners for emergency mechanical systems, gap funding in larger projects where nonprofits are willing to help but require a match or contribution and the homeowner does not resources to contribute or other emergency situations. Qualified Minneapolis HNP homeowners will only be able to apply once every 12 months. With neighborhood organizations help, this pilot fund will help up to 25 vulnerable Minneapolis residents stay safely in their communities and in their most affordable housing option – their current home.
SNO is proud to be an early contributor to this pilot program. They are currently in the process of reaching out to neighborhood associations to to raise $50,000 in funds to support the pilot program. If you are interested in joining SNO as a contributor or hearing more about the HNP, contact Rose Lindsay - rose.lindsay@minneapolismn.gov